Rohani shares a light moment with one of the homeless at ‘Anjung Singgah’ in Kuching.
KUCHING: A total of 461 homeless persons have benefited from the “Anjung Singgah” programme in Sarawak since it was implemented about five years ago.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the programme here was introduced by her ministry in 2012 through the National Welfare Foundation (YKN), and is now operating at Jalan Rubber in Satok here.
She said among the benefits the homeless, registered under ‘Anjung Singgah’ get, include housing facilities, welfare assistance to those who qualify and job opportunities.
She noted that the shelter actually also could be used by the homeless to clean themselves up, especially those who will be attending job interviews.
“Here, at ‘Anjung Singgah’ each homeless has case notes containing their personal and family background, why they live here and what are the kind of assistance they need from us.
“While they are here they are also given counselling and motivation,” she told reporters during a visit to the centre here yesterday.
Rohani said since its operation the ‘Anjung Singgah’ here has helped to match 101 homeless with jobs in the various organisations and agencies.
Aside from that, 161 other homeless had found jobs on their own initiatives through the centre.
She said the homeless who were placed temporarily at ‘Anjung Singgah’ actually were mostly those who came to Kuching to look for jobs.
“In fact, we don’t have the real homeless people in Sarawak. Based on our interview with them, they all have homes somewhere away from Kuching and they have come here to look for jobs,” she said.
Rohani inspects the beds at ‘Anjung Singgah’.